-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Martin Kaymer increased his lead in the Race to Dubai with a superlative final round of 66 at St.Andrews to claim a three-shot victory in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship on Sunday .

The German birdied the final two holes at the home of golf to hold off a determined challenge by England 's Danny Willett as he finished on 17-under 271 .

But there was disappointment for Lee Westwood who needed a top two finish to immediately dislodge Tiger Woods as world number one , but struggled to a one-over 73 for a tie for 11th .

Westwood , who has been struggling with a recurrence of a calf injury , then confirmed he will not play again until the end of the month at the latest .

But due to a quirk of the rankings , it could mean the Englishman will take over at the top in three weeks ' time unless Woods changes his plans and enters a tournament before next month 's HSBC Champions in China .

`` It 's just got more aggravated and achy as the week has gone on , '' Westwood told Sky Sports after his round .

Kaymer , who claimed his first major title with victory at the PGA Championship , was winning his third straight tournament and again showed his cool under pressure .

With Willett challenging , Kaymer needed to get down in two from just off the green at the famous 17th Road Hole to stay at 15 under .

But he proceeded to hole his putt to suddenly open up a two-shot lead and despite finding a tricky lie on the road at the 18th hit his approach to within 10 feet .

Kaymer duly holed the putt to complete one of his ambitions of winning at St.Andrews and claim his fourth title of a superb season which has seen him move nearly $ 1.5 million clear of Ryder Cup teammate Graeme McDowell at the top of the European Tour money list .

He had his own views on the ongoing battle to top the rankings .

`` To be honest I think at the moment Lee Westwood is number one in the world , '' Kaymer said . `` He plays unbelievable golf . ''

Overnight leader John Parry of England recovered from a mid-round crisis to finish with a level-par 72 for 13-under and sole third . Another Englishman , Gary Boyd , finished a further shot back for fourth after a fine 68 .

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Martin Kaymer of Germany wins the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship

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The victory increases his lead over second-placed Graeme McDowell in the Race to Dubai

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Lee Westwood fails in his bid to take over as world number one from Tiger Woods

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Danny Willett of England finishes with a 67 to claim second place